Suspect Charged in Slaying of Cleveland Officer

Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter was killed Thursday attempting to arrest a man accused of shooting his grandmother in the face last week, leaving her brain dead, authorities said.

De’Lawnte Hardy, 24, fired five shots at Ritter and the nine or so other officers who went to arrest him about 3 a.m. Thursday on East 80th Place, police said. One bullet hit Ritter, killing him, according to investigators.

Officers quickly arrested Hardy, as he attempted to flee on his bike, police said. He is charged with aggravated murder in Ritter’s death and is being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on $5 million bond after his arraignment on Friday.

He also faces charges that have yet to be filed in Garfield Heights, according to three law enforcement sources and an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor.

Hardy on June 29 stole his 63-year-old grandmother’s gun, shot her in the face and fled on a bicycle, according to three law enforcement sources and Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Jose Torres. His grandmother has been on life support at MetroHealth Medical Center since, according to the law enforcement sources.

Garfield Heights police obtained a warrant on a felonious assault charge, but they have not filed it in court. If Hardy’s grandmother dies, the charge could change to murder, the law enforcement sources said.

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